Recommendation 19

The Department will still have a role to play in the PPE programme despite this transfer back of the logistics to SCCL. We sought to clarify where exactly accountability lies across the different aspects of the programme. For example, the Department confirmed that resolving the 176 contracts in dispute will remain its responsibility.58 It told us that its aim here is no longer to swap unusable PPE items for more appropriate items, but to concentrate on obtaining refunds wherever possible.59 Likewise, responsibility for decisions on how to dispose of excess stock will remain with the Department, though with the intention of handing that over to SCCL at a later date.60 We would expect further clarity on these 50 C&AG’s Report, The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, session 2019–2021, HC 961, 25 November 2020, para 1.4 51 C&AG’s Report, Investigation into the management of PPE contracts, session 2021–22, HC 1144, 30 March 2022, para 1.3 52 C&AG’s Report, Figure 4, para 2.18 53 Q94 54 Correspondence from Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re Management of PPE Contracts, page 1, dated 19 May 2022 55 Q92 56 Correspondence from Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re Management of PPE Contracts, page 1, dated 19 May 2022 57 Q92 58 Q92 59 Correspondence from Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re Management of PPE Contracts, page 4, dated 19 May 2022 60 Q92 Management of PPE contracts 15 roles and responsibilities to be set out in the PPE strategy that we are now expecting this summer.61 The Department said that this is being worked on “in collaboration with SCCL and NHS Supply Chain”.62 Future of UK PPE manufacturing